Reverend Starsky Wilson, pastor at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 4136 N. Grand Blvd. in North St. Louis, returned this spring from a planned hiatus. Wilson, 37, is also president and CEO of the Deaconess Foundation, with the mission of increasing the well-being of vulnerable children in the urban core areas of the St. Louis region.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Wilson is married to Dr. LaToya Wilson. They have three sons: Starsky II, 9; Dallas, 6; and Mason, 4. He talked to The St. Louis American about his hiatus and how it feels to be back in the pulpit.
The American: Are you still on hiatus from the pulpit?
Rev. Wilson: I am back in the pulpit as of March 30. I was out for four months, from the beginning of December. It’s considered a best practice in the United Church of Christ. They encourage pastors every four years to take a sabbatical to reduce burnout and extend their leadership. It was a good opportunity to do that. Also, it was part of my call agreement. When I came into the church six years ago, it was agreed I’d take a sabbatical.
The American: Was it effective?
Rev. Wilson: It was. Part of what I was able to do was focus. I am doing doctorate work at Duke, traveling back and forth, so it allowed me to dig into that. Intellectual stimulation is energizing for ministry.
The American: What are you doing at Duke?
Rev. Wilson: Studying for a doctorate in ministry, focusing on being a leader in the Christian tradition. Currently I am taking classes in leadership strategy, as well as church history. I’m really delving into leadership in both spaces.
The American: How does it feel to be back in the pulpit?
Rev. Wilson: I feel refreshed, but also grounded. I feel a little odd working here downtown in an office tower. I like being able to be in the neighborhood on the North Side with folks who need this work. It’s right – it complements this work. It keeps me grounded on the foundation’s work.
And in reality, I don’t have much local family, so the church is my family. It’s energizing to be back with my family three or four days a week. I know the people in the neighborhood around my church better than the people in the neighborhood around my house. It’s like being back home.
